A meeting that started earlier than usual was filled with information and discussion as the DeLeon ISD Board of Trustees met for their regular meeting on May, 8. The meeting was scheduled for 5:00 p.m. to allow for the Spring Band Concert which began at 7:00 p.m.

            As a part of the consent agenda the board reviewed the monthly expenditures and received a current budget report from the administration.  The board was also briefed on the current enrollment of the district which currently stands at 654 students, with the elementary having an enrollment of 300, Perkins Middle School 166, and DeLeon High School 188.

            Each campus principal reported to the Board regarding the various activities occurring on their respective campuses.

            Mark Lewis, DHS principal, reported that the calendar was full during this time of year with various events including banquets, awards assemblies, and graduation events.  Lewis also reported that they had received their preliminary Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) reports for the April administration.  While actual scores had not yet been received, the state has notified the district of whether or not a student passed the test on which they took. 

            “We have met with each student today and informed them of whether or not they passed the test,” noted Lewis.

            Scott Carlisle, middle school principal, noted that things at the Perkins Middle School were also hectic with various end-of-year programs.  The middle school will have its Honor Student Reception on Tuesday, May 9, to recognize those students who have maintained an average of “90” or better for the entire school year.

            At the elementary school, Judd Gibson, principal, commented that the Elementary ABBIT (A’s and B’s Because I Try) Reception will be held on Wednesday afternoon, May 10.  The final music program will be held on May 9 and will be presented by the kindergarten classes.  Final field trips are also being completed by all grades.

            The Board was briefed on a plan by the administration to change the way the district obtains workers’ compensation insurance.

            Currently the district pays for full coverage for workers’ compensation through the Texas Association of School Boards for approximately $43,969 annually.

            The administration recommended to the Board changing from a full coverage policy to a self-insurance/partially self-funded policy.  In such a plan the district is subject to an amount of claims up to a specified dollar limit.  When that limit is reached, the insurance carrier then picks up the claim.

            If the district has a low claim rate for a particular year, then the district saves money that had been previously been paid out to the insurance carrier.  If the district has a high claim year the district has no more liability than what it had been experiencing when it paid for full coverage.

            The district will be able to save $11,084 in workers’ compensation coverage by switching to this type of policy.  “We know that the most we will have to pay out for workers’ compensation next year will be $32,885,” noted Superintendent Dr. Randy Mohundro, “and we could possibly save up to an additional $18,998 depending on the level of claims we have next year.”

            The consent agenda also included an overview of the district’s summer school plan.  The district will offer summer school for grades 1-8 to help students who are in danger of being retained or need additional help based on the recommendations of their teachers.        A TAKS preparation/remediation program will be offered for high school TAKS EXIT re-takers in the areas of math and science. Summer school will begin on June 5 and conclude on June 30.  The summer school program will also offer special reading assistance for students through the district’s Read-Right program.  The expense of summer school will be paid with various federal and state compensatory funds available to the district. 

            The Board was informed by the administration that the district had been awarded $20,000 in federal monies for those hurricane students that had been enrolled in the district.  The monies would be flowed into the federal program budget to be used appropriately.

            The consent agenda was approved unanimously by the board as presented.

            As matters of action, the Board held a lengthy discussion regarding district facilities, particularly the high school building and possible renovations to that building.

            The administration presented to the Board two different estimates for painting and carpeting for the high school building.

            Callaway’s Carpet of Abilene quoted the district $41,808 to recarpet and tile high school. Dean Hagler, also of Abilene quoted the district $62,931 for a major repainting of both the exterior and interior of the high school including the old gym, all classroom areas, and the cafetorium.

            Because each project is in excess of $25,000, the district would be required to seek competitive bids before any work could begin.

            The Board then held a discussion of the benefits of undertaking such renovations.  Board President Lisa Nowlin asked the administration, “How long will this last us before we need to do something else?”

            The administration responded that they felt like, with these renovations, the existing high school building’s longevity could be extended an additional five years before the building’s livelihood would be exhausted and the building would need to be replaced.

            The Board then asked the administration on the feasibility of a possible bond issue and what it would take for a new high school building to be constructed.

            The administration then walked the Board through a possible timetable for a bond issue and construction project if it were to begin immediately.  “If we were to begin tomorrow, it would take approximately three years before we could have a project completed - and that is only if everything is in alignment at both the state and local levels when we begin,” noted Dr. Mohundro.

            The Board questioned the administration on various possibilities of a new facility and how the district might operate depending on which option was selected and approved.

            The Board directed the administration to move forward with the bidding process for the possible renovations and to seek several alternatives for the project - including doing only interior work. It was noted that soliciting bids did not commit the district to the projects, but it would allow the Board to have more options on which to base a final decision.

            The Board also directed Dr. Mohundro to conduct an internal facility study of the current secondary campus, particularly the high school facility to see how it currently stands in meeting state standards for school buildings.

            The Board also directed Dr. Mohundro to seek input from a physical engineer regarding the drainage issue on the north side of the high school.  The administration will present all of the information at the June board meeting.

            The administration presented the Board with a current status report on the high school yearbook account.  The fund, handled through the activity account, has been used to collect monies for and pay for the high school annual.  The account is approximately one year behind and is in need of being brought current.

            Following a lengthy discussion by the Board on the yearbook funds, as well as the activity account as a whole, the Board requested more information regarding the process being used for having a yearbook published, including the number of books being printed and sold. 

            The Board directed the administration to solicit information on the current expenses of the yearbook and what a yearbook will cost for the current school year. This information will be presented to the Board at its next regular meeting in June.

            The Board selected Trustee Daylon Whitehurst as its delegate for the Texas Association of School Boards annual convention to be held in October in Houston.  Trustee Dr. Brandon Gilmore was selected as the alternate.  The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-1, with Mr. Whitehurst abstaining and Dr. Gilmore being absent.

            The Board then moved to the discussion portion of the agenda. The Board was briefed on a possible policy change being considered for recommendation by the administration.  The policy change would affect local policy FNF (LOCAL) – Student Rights and Responsibilities: Interrogations and Searches, specifically the portion of the policy concerning student drug testing.

            The administration briefed the Board on updating the policy to include not only high school athletes that are tested on a mandatory basis, but expanding the program to all extra-curricular activities and its participants in grades 7-12.

            It was noted by Principal Lewis that sponsors of Ag, Band, and One-Act Play had all commented about the need to include their activities in the drug testing program.  Many students that participate in athletics are in these additional programs, but a large number of students are being left out of the program because they are not in athletics.

            The administration also noted that the new policy would also include a requirement that any student that drives a car and parks on school property or within 300 feet of school property, would also be required to participate in the drug testing program. 

            The Board as a whole commented that they were in favor of expanding the program. Dr. Mohundro noted that a policy would be recommended at next month’s meeting for Board adoption. It was noted by the campus principals that adoption would be needed so that parents and students could be made aware of the program change prior to the starting of the 2006-2007 school year.

            The Board set the date for the canvassing meeting for the May 13 election for Wednesday, May 17 at 12:00 p.m. in the Central Administration Building.

            Becky Golden and Dr. Gilmore were designated to represent the Board in the selection of the Perkins Memorial Scholarship recipient from the DHS Class of 2006.

            Following a short 25 minute closed session held for the purpose of personnel considerations, the Board approved the recommendation of the administration to employ the following individuals for the 2006-2007 school year on one year probationary contracts: Brad Cox, boy’s coach/secondary social studies teacher; Christiana Cox, elementary special education; Justin McClaren, boy’s coach/secondary math teacher; Penni Mohundro, secondary special education/remedial reading; Maliana Steward, elementary remedial reading.

            The Board’s next regular meeting will be held on June 12.